"God's word condemns also the use of those meaningless phrases and expletives that border on profanity. It condemns the deceptive compliments, the evasions of truth, the exaggerations, the misrepresentations in trade, that are current in society and in the business world. “Let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 , R.V. Ed 236.1"
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 5:37, making it a clear and intentional allusion.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Both passages address the importance of pure and edifying speech, condemning corrupt communication. EGW expands on the types of corrupt communication.
"Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight."
Both passages deal with truthfulness and the condemnation of lying. EGW's statement about misrepresentations in trade aligns with Proverbs' condemnation of lying lips.
"“As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?” Proverbs 26:18, 19 . Ed 236.2"
"As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,"
The EGW passage directly quotes Proverbs 26:18, making it an explicit allusion.
"Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would shun the leprosy. Ed 236.3"
"Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"
Romans 1:29 lists 'whisperers' among a catalog of sins, which directly relates to EGW's discussion of gossip and insinuation. The connection is more direct than a general thematic parallel.
"And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean."
Both passages use leprosy as a metaphor for something to be avoided due to its uncleanness and potential for spread. EGW uses it to illustrate the need to avoid gossip and insinuation.
"In the use of language there is perhaps no error that old and young are more ready to pass over lightly in themselves than hasty, impatient speech. They think it a sufficient excuse to plead, “I was off my guard, and did not really mean what I said.” But God's word does not treat it lightly. The Scripture says: Ed 236.4"
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"
Both passages highlight the power and potential danger of the tongue. James 3:5 emphasizes how a small thing like the tongue can cause great damage, which aligns with EGW's concern about hasty and impatient speech.
"“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 29:20 . Ed 236.5 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 . Ed 236.6"
"Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him."
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 29:20 in this passage.
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 25:28 in this passage.
"In one moment, by the hasty, passionate, careless tongue, may be wrought evil that a whole lifetime's repentance cannot undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and healing! Ed 236.7"
"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 12:18 regarding the destructive power of words versus the healing power of wise speech. The connection is clear and meaningful.